Access to China has been considered a golden goose for many export focussed industries.

Representatives from the Australian citrus industry recently returned from a study mission to China.

Citrus Australia's regional committee chair for South Australia, Con Poulos, says he was pleasantly surprised at how much Chinese buyers knew about the Australian industry.

"It's not only the huge demand for our citrus, but they knew a lot about our growing regions, some people have travelled over here before - and they knew about our strict protocols too."

The study mission, run by Citrus Australia, included businesses that currently grow and export citrus to China.

The ten day tour began at the China World Fruit and Vegetable Trade Fair, held in Beijing, and from there the group travelled around China meeting wholesale market owners, fresh produce buyers and the owners of supermarket chains.

"It was a long trip," says Mr Poulos.

"Opinions definitely changed between the start and the end.

"Many of the producers and packers on the mission released they will probably have to work cooperatively to meet the demand that exists for citrus."